Scholastic
7 Strengths Reading List
BELONGING
Picture Books
• Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold recounts the dream adventure of eight-year-old
Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who flies above her apartment-building
rooftop, the 'tar beach' of the title, looking down on 1939 Harlem.
•
Harlem by Walter Dean Myers
Based on the childhood of National Football League superstars
Ronde and Tiki Barber, this inspiring book follows the story of these
childhood best friends through the ups and downs of their friendship
and football career.
•
Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco
Based on a Polacco’s childhood, the book tells the story of
the quirky and invincible teacher Mrs. Peterson and her class
of misfits who show Trisha, the protagonist of the book, the
true meaning of genius.
© LitWorld, 2013
CURIOSITY
Picture Books
• More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby
A fictionalized story about the life of young Booker T.
Washington, living in a West Virginia settlement after
emancipation, nine-year-old Booker travels by lantern light to
the salt works, where he labors from dawn till dusk.
•
The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Tonya Bolden
A biography of world famous boxer Muhammad Ali takes the
reader through his unlikely beginnings as a skinny boy learning
to box at a local gym to becoming the heavyweight champion
of the world.
•
Stephen Hawkings: Cosmologist Who Gets a Big Bang Out of the Big
Bang by Mike Venezia
Where did the universe begin? Are black holes real? Superstar
cosmologist Stephen Hawking talks about his mind-boggling
theories about the origins of our universe.
Chapter Books
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she
wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so
much bigger than the green ones. As Callie explores the natural
world, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather,
navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and finds out what
it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.
© LitWorld, 2013
FRIENDSHIP
Picture Books
• Two Bobbies by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery
Bobbi and Bob Cat are bestfriends. When Hurricane Katrina
struck their hometown of New Orleans , many lost
everything. But not Bobbi and Bob Cat—they still had each
other. Only by staying together could they survive.
•
Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella
Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu
The amazing true story of a friendship created between an
orphaned baby hippo and 130-year-old giant turtle.
Chapter Books
• Crash by Jerry Spinelli
Crash, a cocky seventh-grade super-joker, seems to be all
brawn and no brains but he will need more than mere
muscles to face the upcoming challenges in his life.
•
P.S. Longer Letter Later by Ann M. Martin and Paula Danziger
Best friends Elizabeth and Tara Starr now live in different
towns, but they continue their friendship through letters.
© LitWorld, 2013
KINDNESS
Picture Books
• Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone
at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy soon sees that the
things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the
chance to help a friend — are worth more than the shoes he
wants.
• Zen Ties by Jon J. Muth
Stillwater encourages Koo, Stillwater's haiku-speaking young
nephew, and his friends to help a grouchy old neighbor in
need. Their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways.
Chapter Books
• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Charlotte's Web is the story of a little girl named Fern who
loved a little pig named Wilbur—and of Wilbur's friends in
the barn who help save Wilbur’s life.
•
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in
Mexico--she'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and
servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee
to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp
for Mexican farm workers.
© LitWorld, 2013
CONFIDENCE
Picture Books
• Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
A single reckless remark by Ramon's older brother turns
Ramon's carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily
Ramon’s little sister, Marisol, opens his eyes to something a
lot more valuable than getting things just "right."
•
Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big by Chris Paul
Everybody told Chris that he was too small to play basketball.
But he ignored them all because he had big dreams. And, he
loved the game.
Chapter Books
• Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
A freak accident made Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee an orphan.
After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight
years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run.
• Big Nate and Friends by Lincoln Peirce
Nate is four-and-a-half feet tall, and the all-time record holder
for detentions in school history. Equipped with the
unshakable belief that he is #1, Nate fights a daily battle
against overzealous teachers, undercooked cafeteria food, and
all-around conventionality.
© LitWorld, 2013
COURAGE
Picture Books
• Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Henry is devastated when his family is sold at the slave
market. He knows exactly what he must do: He will mail
himself to the North. After an arduous journey in a shipping
crate, Henry finally has his first day of freedom.
•
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
In a true story, Pinkus Aylee, a black Union soldier, finds
Sheldon Curtis left for dead and carries him home to be
tended by his mother. When the two boys attempt to rejoin
the Union troops, they are captured and sent to
Andersonville Prison.
Chapter Books
• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
A princess, a rat, and a serving girl embark on a journey that
will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a
glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives.
•
Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
Mafatu has always been afraid of the sea. Yet, with his dog as
his companion, Mafatu paddles out to sea. This adventure will
change him forever and make him a hero in the eyes of his
people.
© LitWorld, 2013
HOPE
Picture Books
• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judy Viorst
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Everything went wrong,
right down to lima beans for supper and kissing on TV. What do you do on
a day like that? You may be glad to find that some days are like that for
other people too.
•
Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter
Wangari returns to her home in Kenya and is shocked to see whole forests
being cut down. Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting
nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. . . .
•
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother
save their coins to buy a really comfortable chair for all to enjoy.
Chapter Books
• The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Two orphaned brothers, Prosper and Bo, have run away to Venice, where
crumbling canals shelter a secret community of street urchins. The leader of
this motley crew of lost children is a clever, charming boy with a dark
history of his own: He calls himself the Thief Lord..
© LitWorld, 2013